"Our offense was better today because we were very, very patient," UCLA coach Ben Howland said.

The defense was better, too.

The Bruins held Klay Thompson, the second-leading scorer in the Pac-10, to 2-for-9 shooting from the field and eight points. Reggie Moore, who was overlooked by the Bruins defense when the teams played last month and scored 24 points, was held to 11.

Moore and Casto DeAngelo were the only Washington State players to score in double figures, with DeAngelo scoring 10.

The Bruins used their 2-3 zone for most of the game but switched to a man-to-man defense for a couple of possessions in the first half. The switch seemed to work.

Washington State (15-11, 5-9) hit on four of its first five field-goal attempts in the first half but the Cougars' shooting declined as the game went on.

"It was real important because they were hot," Lee said. "Every time they came down, they were scoring on their outside shots.

"We tried to throw a little man-to-man out there just to throw a little wrench in their system, just to throw them off. We ended up getting a stop and went right back to the 2-3. I think that (2-3 zone) has really evolved since the last time we played them."

The Bruins closed out the first half with a 16-4 run to take control of the game.

Freshman Reeves Nelson left with 4:23 remaining in the first half when he fell and opened a deep gash above his right eye.

He ended up taking 15 stitches and didn't return courtside until 6:37 remained in the game. Despite a swollen eye and the stitches, he wanted to get back in the game, but that didn't happen.

Nelson had his legs taken out from under him when he went up for a dunk. Since he was closer to the backboard then the front of the rim, he wasn't able to hang on, which was his first instinct.

"I don't know if someone took my legs out from under me or I thought they were going to," Nelson said with his right eye nearly swollen shut. "I changed how I was going to land. I just know that my head hit the floor first and that's never good."

Nelson injured the same eye earlier this season when he was accidentally poked by Kansas' Marcus Morris.

Nelson was tested for a concussion and was cleared. He is expected to play Saturday at Washington.

KEEFE DONE

Senior forward James Keefe (Santa Margarita High) has played his final game for UCLA. Keefe said Thursday he will have surgery on his left shoulder. He plans to meet with a surgeon Monday to decide on a day for the procedure.

"I figured that if I was going to get it, I might as well get it as soon as possible and start the rehabbing," Keefe said.

Keefe has continued to beat up on the shoulder since he had surgery on it in 2007. He re-injured it at practice last Friday, and it has not improved.

"There have been lots of issues with it," Keefe said. "The doctor basically said that every time it keeps popping out, it's not good and it could cause permanent damage to the joint. Getting it taken care of is the best thing."